Vancouver, Canada currently hosts the second annual Kurdish Film Festival. The event runs from the 17th to the 19th of this month. Importantly, the festival’s theme is “Mother Tongue.” Furthermore, it specifically highlights the role of women in Kurdish storytelling. The main goal is to introduce Kurdish stories and culture globally.
Organizers selected twenty-two Kurdish films for screening. These films emerged from a pool of over two hundred submissions. Moreover, the program includes a diverse mix of feature films, short films, and documentaries.
The Kurdish-Canadian Cultural Society organizes the entire event. Notably, the festival secured support from top Canadian officials. For instance, Prime Minister Mark Carney gave his endorsement. Similarly, David Eby, the Premier of British Columbia, also offered support. Additionally, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim backs the festival. This high-level support provides a major morale boost for the organizers.
Rekan Seyda, the festival’s artistic director, expressed his gratitude. He said this official recognition is incredibly encouraging. Furthermore, he revealed ambitious plans for future editions. The team aims to build a much stronger capacity in the coming years.
Seyda also explained Vancouver’s significance. He called the city “the second Hollywood.” Therefore, hosting a Kurdish festival there is very important. They want to showcase Kurdish culture on a world-class stage.
The festival maintains excellent relations with other Kurdish film events. For instance, it connects with festivals in Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk. The organizers wish all other Kurdish artistic events great success.